Portland Timbers acquire D Alvas Powell, waive Mobi Fehr

View full sizeThe Portland Timbers had acquired young midfielder Mobi Fehr in an MLS weighted lottery after he had become a staple of various United States youth soccer teams for many years, hoping he might be a key building block for the future. Unfortunately due to injuries within the defensive core of the team, Fehr was waived by the team to acquire defender Alvas Powell. Libero Sports

The Portland Timbers have
been extremely busy with MLS league matches and a run to the U.S. Open Cup
quarterfinals, but in the process, they've suffered a few injuries to their
defensive line. Defender Michael
Harrington suffered a serious ankle injury in the June 19 match versus Los Angeles, leaving the
Timbers without one of their key weapons for overlapping runs from the
defense. While Ryan Miller and Jack
Jewsbury have been very good in the Timbers' last two matches (6/23 vs. Colorado, 6/26 vs. FC Dallas
in USOC play), with a busy July schedule forthcoming plus several key absences
for the Timbers, I thought there might be a move coming. Sure enough, the Timbers indeed adjusted
their roster by acquiring
young defender Alvas Powell on loan from Jamaican side Portmore United FC. To make room for him on the roster, the team
waived midfielder Mobi Fehr.

Powell has played for
Portmore United FC for the past two seasons, while he has earned five caps with
the Jamaican National team since his debut with them in December 2012. Powell played in all three 2014 World Cup
Qualifying matches for Jamaica
against Mexico,
the United
States and Honduras,
and showed relatively well in all three matches. Being just 18 years old and already being
counted upon for key minutes by his National Team, the potential here could be
pretty amazing. He can also play both
back positions, giving the Timbers some needed depth especially if Harrington's
injury keeps him out long term. Powell will occupy an international spot on the
Timbers' roster.

Fehr appeared in six MLS
Reserve matches and made three starts, but he didn't log any goals or assists in
his appearances. He was acquired by the
Timbers in a weighted lottery after appearances with the U.S. Men's National
U-17, U-18 and U-20 teams over the past few years. While possessing good talent and vision on
the pitch, the Timbers needed to make a change in the roster to help their
defensive numbers, especially with a full slate of matches in July with 4
league matches and 2 friendlies. While Portland may also be without a few of their players for
the 2013 MLS All Star Game in Kansas
City on July 31, 2013, they also learned that they
will be without three players for part of July because of international call-ups
for the 2013 Gold Cup.

*** Richards and Dike both suffered ACL injuries during training earlier this year. They both continue to rehab from their respective surgeries, and are expected to be able
to resume training later this summer. However, they are also not on any injured list at this time, so they are part of the Timbers current roster.

**** Meves is now part of the Timbers U-23 team as their starting goalkeeper after spending the early season training with the Timbers first team.